Danube Delta Birds

The Danube Delta birds bring worldwide fame to this amazing place with a breathtaking scenery. After recent research, from its 331 species, it is estimated that 174 are breeding; those that are not breeding are guests during winter and passing through, in spring and autumn.

According to the geographical origin, birds belong to the following types: European, Mediterranean, Siberian, Mongolian, Arctic and Chinese. Migration takes place in the South-North direction during spring and the North-South during autumn.

This shift is instinctively done with great regularity, the climate conditions being the only ones slightly changing the calendar. Well established migration paths have been named by researchers as follows: Pontic, Sarmatian, the Black Sea, the Eastern Elba and Carpathian.

Out of these 331 species of birds, 12 are endangered, thus protected by law. These Danube Delta birds have been declared monuments of nature, thousands of people coming annually to observe and document them. While on a trip on the Danube you can spot nests on the clear water with beautiful small eggs surrounded by a quilt of feathers.

Protected birds can be grouped in two, according to their plumage colour: white (White Pelican, Dalmatian Pelican, Spoonbill, Great White Egret and Little Egret, Mute Swan and Whooper Swan) and polychromatic (Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck, White –tailed Eagle). There are three other species that are taken into consideration for protection: Crane, Danube Falcon, Stone Curlew.

Besides these species, we can easily observe in the populated areas the following birds: sparrows, swallows, ringdoves, storks, blackbirds, titmouses, woodpeckers, quails, larks, and starlings.

Some species of birds wintering in the delta, especially in Razim – Sinoe complex, are the Red breasted Goose, ducks, geese, coots and swans (over one million exemplars).